The Source (Creasan #1)

Chapter 14

Favian paced his study anxiously, worrying his lip. His bright red hair stuck up every which way, standing up straight beneath his crown. There were dark purple circles beneath his gleaming green eyes, and his skin was paler than a sick person's. Yet his energy was higher than it had ever been.

The door opened and Destrian cautiously entered the room. "The queen bid me check on you," the old man said.

Favian laughed. "Why? Because I've not been to her bed?"

Destrian looked away awkwardly. "She did not say, sire. But..." He brought his cloudy gaze back to the king, brows furrowed. "I must say, my king, you do not look well. Perhaps I ought to send for a healer."

The king waved dismissively. "I'm fine, Destrian. Now tell me of my brother. Has he been found? Is he with the prisoners?"

Destrian bowed apologetically. "He is still missing, Your Majesty."

Favian blinked in time to the pounding in his head. "And what of the Guards sent out? Have they any clues? Any hints as to where he might have gone?"

"I'm afraid not, Your Majesty."

"Well, have you any good news?" he burst. Favian spun on his heel and charged toward the other side of the room.

Destrian followed his form with apprehension. "The medicine the healer prescribed last time you'd been to see him...has it stopped working, sire?"

"Everything has stopped working, Destrian. Everything."

"It will all fall apart, eventually."

"Gah!" Favian twisted around, eyes searching the eaves of the ceiling. "No, I won't let it," he said.

Destrian blinked. "Sorry, sire?"

"I will make sure it does. I will bring it crashing down around you."

"No, no, you won't!"

"I won't, what, Your Majesty?"

"You will try to take everything from me. You may even succeed. But when you think you have finally rid yourself of me, I will be there. I will always have the last laugh, Highness."

"It is 'Majesty'!"

Destrian licked his lips nervously and approached Favian slowly. "I think Queen Ana was right. I will send for the healer—"

Favian whirled on the adviser. "No! I do not want that dreadful man anywhere near me."

"You need him, sire. You are not well."

"I'm fine!"

"I will never be gone. I am here—"

The words seem to come from the fireplace and Favian flew across the room.

"—and I am there."

Favian screeched to a halt, his gaze flying to the desk. An enormous bell gonged in his head and he cringed. "No!" He hurried to the desk, standing on top and jumping up and down, squashing papers beneath his feet.

Destrian's mouth fell open. "Sire!" He sounded appalled.

"Even now, I've already taken something from you. Do you think you know what it is?"

"You have nothing of mine."

"Oh, but I do. I wonder how long it shall be before you realize just how much I have taken."

Favian bared his teeth into the space directly in front of him. "I will slice your head off with my own blade and your children will—"

"Father?"